The German series Where's Wanda? brings a fresh and unconventional take to the genre of missing-person dramas by fusing farcical humor with a dark crime thriller. Apple TV+'s first original German-language show follows Dedo and Carlotta Klatt in their frantic, often comedic, search for their missing 17-year-old daughter, Wanda. While it doesn't rewrite the genre's rulebook, Where's Wanda? is an entertaining and intriguing mix of emotions, ranging from slapstick comedy to poignant family drama.
The show begins several months after Wanda's disappearance, and the Klatts are nearing the dreaded 100-day mark, after which the chance of finding her alive drops drastically. With no leads, the couple's search takes a desperate turn, leading them to bug every home in their small town of Sundersheim, hoping to overhear any information about their daughter. The series soon becomes a quirky, farcical caper, filled with ridiculous distractions, outrageous lies, and moments of humor, including an unexpected amount of snake-based slapstick. All the while, Wanda's sardonic voiceover adds a meta layer, poking fun at the usual clichés of missing-teen stories.
At first, this blend of humor and crime can feel offbeat, especially in contrast to the more serious, emotionally charged moments, such as Carlotta's intense breakdowns. Portrayed by Heike Makatsch (known internationally from Love Actually), Carlotta's outbursts of grief and frustration are powerful, creating a stark contrast to the show's otherwise lighthearted tone. Yet soon enough, the series jumps back into its comic rhythm, with disastrous break-ins and exaggerated reenactments of Wanda's last known day.
As the episodes progress, Where's Wanda? finds its footing and starts balancing the humorous elements with deeper, more suspenseful storytelling. The Klatts, along with their son Ole, transform their basement into a secret surveillance hub, spying on their neighbors' every move. Some of what they discover is amusingly mundane, but other secrets turn out to be darker and stranger than expected. This adds a layer of screwball tension to the story as the Klatts work to avoid detection from the police while continuing their mission.
While the clues to Wanda's whereabouts are slow to surface, the show gradually builds a mystery around her disappearance. We see her riding her red scooter on the morning of the town's Nuppelwockennacht parade, an event tied to a local legend about a mythical beast said to kidnap a virgin from the nearby forest. A single shot of Wanda's red cape lying on the forest floor is the only indication of her fate. This folkloric setting adds a unique touch to the show's otherwise universal small-town vibe.
Interestingly, the series, though German in language, doesn't feel particularly tied to its geography. The generic small-town backdrop and the series' overall tone make it accessible to international audiences, though those looking for insight into the German comic sensibility might be surprised to learn the show was written by British screenwriter Oliver Lansley.
Some viewers may wonder what the purpose of a show like Where's Wanda? is in today's crowded streaming landscape. The answer lies in the growing trend of international content aimed at both local and global audiences. For streamers like Apple TV+, foreign-language series serve a dual purpose: they offer something fresh to viewers outside the country of origin and cater to underserved audiences within. In rare cases, such shows become international hits, as seen with Netflix's Squid Game.
Where's Wanda? is unlikely to reach such viral success, but it reflects a larger trend in what the New York Times calls "Mid-TV" — a flood of well-made series that are neither groundbreaking nor forgettable. The show is funny enough, emotional enough, and suspenseful enough to keep you watching, even if it doesn't leave a lasting mark.
While Where's Wanda? may not be revolutionary, it's an enjoyable series that blends humor, mystery, and emotion in a way that's engaging, if not essential. Like the Klatts in their search for Wanda, viewers will likely come away thinking: it's good enough.